Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-04-07
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 2S, 1887.

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Mar. %, 1887.
Now that the long-looked for event of
the appointment of Interstate commerce
commissioners is thing of the past other
important questions in connection with
them have arisen. Each individual menu
Der of the board has been fully discussed
from every standpoint, viewed through
and through, and allowed to pass as an
honest, able man, whether or not he can
do anything that will rebound to his credit
as regards the great crude problem which
he is called upon to grapple.
The next question is, where will the new
court sit? This puzzles Secretary Lamar.
He is expected to furnish the necessary ac-
commodations, and the Interior Depart
ment is already ovcrcrowded. The
truth is this constantly growing Govern
ment has no room anywhere for new
bureau, and not half enough for many of
its old ones. If the commission Is lit to
survive the opposition, storms and conflicts
which await it during the term Of six
years for which it was appointed, Uncle
Sam will doubtless be ready by that time
to erect commodious building for its
special use. At present they will be com
pclled to seek more humble quarters.
Among the houses offered for their
use is one that was formerly oc-
cupied a residence by Mr.. Blaine.
The first office of Importance under the
commission is that of Secretary. and can
dida,tes are being brought forward. In
the organization and management of a
new branch of the service of much
Importance as this commission, its Sccrc-
tary will have a large amount of business
10 attend to, and of necessity must bc
man of fine ability and one who has
some knowledge of the organization
and routine of the Government De
partments.
The establishment Of new Federal Office
here the employment Of large clerical
and official force, and the focking 10 head
quarters Of thousands Of people. railroad
men and their attorneys, shippers, pro
duccrs consumers travellers and others
Interested in questions coming before the
commission. will have the effect of adding
much to the activity Of the summer in
Washington.
Every day the civil service commission
crs receive letters from persons who dc-
sire to enter competitive examinations for
clerk ships under the ncw Interstate com
mcrce commission, But the clerical force
to be employed in this service will not
come under the provisions of the civil ser
vice law unless the President sanctions
and promulgatc> rule to that cf-
feet.
Just at this time there are pending be-
fore the United States Pension Office
7l37 claims The claims are received at
the rate OF about six thousand a week.
The number of pension certificates issued
every week is about two thousand. and
over that number is rejected weekly ON
account of the Mexican Pension act of Jan
9. 81, the Pension Office is cmbarra>> >cd
now for lack of sufficient working force.
1t l. to-day that one hundred clerks Of this
bureau, who have volunteered their ser
vices. begin TO work extra hours on the
claims Of the Mexican veterans. Their eX-
ira labors are required until the end Of the
present fiscal year
Recorder Trottcr who has had 80 many
yicissitudcs during his brief Official career
in Washington, l. again lying at the point
Of death at his X street residence. Strick-
IN down with pneumonia week ago. he
seemed 10 rally after few day, but las
again relapscd, and little hope is entertain
cd of his recovery. The most prominent
physicians of the city have been called
in consultation, and all that medical science
could suggest has been done for the pat
lent. Kindly inquiries have been daily
made a. to Mr.. Trotter's condition, and
many prominent people have shown sincere
sympathy in his behalf.
The appointment of CARAT Smith Logan
deputy recorder of deeds was filed in the
Office of the clerk of the court Saturday af
tcrnoon. He is a son of the late Bishop
Logan, of the NJ. +. church, is quite light
in color, and Is a brothcr-in-law of cx-re-
corder Matthews.
Since it is at last authoritatiyely an
nounced that the Assistant Secretary is to
be Mr. Manning's successor | can safely
speak Of him as a cabinet officer, which he
has long been in all but the name Mr.,
Fairchild is more systematic and business
like than any man in the Cabinet, and is 50
considered by them. He even has the mail
Of the Treasury Department, which he
attends to personally, brought to the cabi-
net meetings for him to examine and sign.
As the conference Of Secretaries often
lasts until late in the afternoon, lie would
not otherwise have time to read carefully
and sign Important letters. that they
could get OFF in the evening mail.